In episode 20 of The Healthcare Hangover, David Contorno and Emma Fox discuss alarming healthcare facts, including the US's high healthcare spending, lack of guaranteed health coverage, and avoidable deaths. They also touch on the impact of COVID-19 on life expectancy and vaccination rates.

Tune in to gain insights into the healthcare system's financial challenges and the need for reform.

TIMESTAMPS

[00:03:08] Healthcare System's Avoidable Deaths.

[00:05:45] Universal Healthcare Debate.

[00:08:49] Life Expectancy and Healthcare Disparities.

[00:12:00] Acceptance of Preventable Deaths.

[00:17:33] Perverse Incentives in Government.

[00:21:23] Little Community Making Big Waves.

[00:23:54] Life-Changing Impact of Cost Savings.

In this episode, David Contorno and Emma Fox discuss how the US spends a significant amount on healthcare, far exceeding the average spending of other developed nations. Despite this high expenditure, the country continues to experience a troubling number of avoidable deaths.

Furthermore, David and Emma highlight the urgent need for systemic change in the healthcare industry, emphasizing the importance of accountability, responsibility, and legislative action to address disparities, improve access to care, and enhance outcomes for individuals. By advocating for reforms, engaging with policymakers, and prioritizing patient-centered care, the healthcare system can evolve to better serve the needs of the population.

QUOTES

• "We've become accepting of hundreds of thousands of people dying every year, needlessly, unnecessarily, the huge majority of them could have been prevented. That's not even including those preventable medical errors, which is an even higher rate than that. Like we've become numb to death. Unless it's like our immediate family, We don't care about it anymore, which is right. No wonder we're not fixing our healthcare system because that involves caring about other people. And it feels like there's such a lack of that." - David Contorno
• "I think the key to finding something that's actually passable in this country is to make sure that both sides don't like it. If one side loves it and one side hates it, it's never going to get done." - David Contorno
• “I don't know what's going to happen if the administration changes hands. But I do feel at least that it's getting on some radars, you know, like some important people are realizing that we exist. And I think that's, the days when my optimism is lacking, I think those are the things that kind of lean on. And if I step out of this industry, I'm leaving that burden for somebody else to carry. And that's why I feel like it's a big responsibility.” - Emma Fox

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS

David Contorno

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dcontorno/

Emma Fox

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmamariefox/

WEBSITE

E-Powered Benefits: https://www.epoweredbenefits.com/

Emma Fox: https://emmamariefox.com/

In episode 19 of The Healthcare Hangover, David Contorno and Emma Fox delve into the complexities of the healthcare system, touching on issues such as access to care, the influence of lobbyists, and the future of healthcare entities.

Tune in as they explore the challenges and nuances of the healthcare industry.

TIMESTAMPS

[00:01:25] Disappointing Experience with Direct Primary Care (DPC).

[00:06:55] DPC Values and Healthcare Choices.

[00:07:58] DPC in Health Plans.

[00:13:33] Our Healthcare System's Financial Incentives.

[00:16:39] Influence of Pharmaceutical Lobbying.

In this episode, David Contorno and Emma Fox discuss the importance of strategically integrating Direct Primary Care (DPC) into health plans to maximize its benefits and avoid diluting its value. They highlight the need to carefully assess DPC providers before including them in health plans to ensure alignment with the values and needs of the employees or members.

Furthermore, David and Emma underscore the complex interplay of financial interests, lobbying power, and resistance to change that continue to impede efforts to improve the healthcare system in the U.S. Addressing these challenges will require a concerted effort to prioritize the well-being of individuals over financial gains and to advocate for reforms that prioritize preventive care, transparency, and patient-centered approaches.

QUOTES

• "I think having a deeper relationship means that it gets a little more personal. I think it's okay to ask those things. So we try and get a broad spectrum of DPCs in the plans, at least as broad as we can so that people can find the one that they're most comfortable with." - David Contorno
• "I think a lot of people think that DPC is really for individuals or small groups. But there are ways, especially when you're assessing the tolerance of the group that you're representing and the DPC's value proposition, that you can marry those together with what looks like a traditional health plan. but provides this direct care component right up front. And I would say those are our most successful plans." - Emma Fox
• "For those of you that don't know, when you go to a DPC doctor, you never pay a copay, you never pay deductible, you never pay coinsurance. It doesn't matter if it's preventive or diagnostic. So there's zero barriers. There's no time barrier. There's no 3,000 other patient barrier, and there's no cost barrier to getting primary care. And one of the things that we've lost sight of is that primary care is called primary care because it's where we are supposed to go primarily." - David Contorno

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS

David Contorno

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dcontorno/

Emma Fox

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmamariefox/

WEBSITE

E-Powered Benefits: https://www.epoweredbenefits.com/

Emma Fox: https://emmamariefox.com/

In episode 18 of The Healthcare Hangover, David Contorno and Emma Fox discuss their recent trip to Dallas and a new project they've been working on. They also talk about the challenges of the healthcare system and the need for a holistic approach to fixing it.

Tune in to hear their insights and find out how you can get involved in making a difference in your own community.

TIMESTAMPS

[00:02:43] Lack of Access to Healthcare.

[00:08:14] Prescriptions and Financial Assistance.

[00:11:45] Financial Assistance Programs at Nonprofit Hospitals.

[00:15:02] Providing Healthcare to the Uninsured.

In this episode, David Contorno and Emma Fox delve into the pressing issue of individuals in certain communities who are unable to afford essential medications and healthcare. They even highlight that as individuals age, they often require maintenance prescriptions for common health issues like blood pressure. However, the cost of these medications can be exorbitant, leading many to forgo necessary treatments and appointments.

Overall, David and Emma emphasize the importance of understanding the various assistance programs available and the distinction between medical and prescription coverage. While some programs require individuals to be uninsured, others may still be accessible to those with insurance. Taking a holistic approach to healthcare is crucial, addressing the issue from all angles simultaneously to prevent the problem from resurfacing in more detrimental ways.

QUOTES

• "The goal is to bring direct primary care into these communities for short periods of time, kind of like pop-up DPC, to serve these folks who don't have access to health care." - Emma Fox
• “the most common misconception around these programs when people find out about it, is that it doesn't matter if you have insurance. It is not for only the uninsured. It's also for the underinsured." - Emma Fox
• "I feel like I have the opportunity and our plans do that every day when I can get someone who does have a job who's clearly doing the right thing, but they still can't afford their medication or their surgery or their tests, and then I can get it done for them. that feels really good. And it doesn't feel like charity. It feels like getting them what they should have been entitled to anyway." - David Contorno

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS

David Contorno

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dcontorno/

Emma Fox

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmamariefox/

WEBSITE

E-Powered Benefits: https://www.epoweredbenefits.com/

Emma Fox: https://emmamariefox.com/